There must be something seriously wrong when a Secretary General blacks out the
circulation of a press statement by one of his predecessors. And not just any
predecessor. Javier Perez de Ceullar gave Kofi Annan his first
second and third breaks at seniority. He appointed him Director of Budget (his first D-2), and
head of Personnel Assistant Secretary General and, more importantly, sheltered him from
bureaucratic snipers below and above. No doubt, Annan was uniquely qualified for these appointments.
But it was that
Secretary General who gave him the visibility and the opportunity to initiate contacts on
reform with powerful circles in key member states. (He also helped Annan's Chef de Cabinet
Iqbal Riza particularly during a career crisis, but that's another matter). And what was the
offending statement about? It criticized a decision to close the U.N. Information Centres in
Europe as a serious cultural, professional and political mistake. Well, join the club. Many professionals believe
it is a hurried move lacking adequate preparation or thoughtful planning. It could also be a
violation of General Assembly Resolution 13 of the First Session establishing these offices which
could only be closed by another clear -- not backhanded -- resolution. At any rate, it is a
considered opinion expressed in "Le Figaro" a leading French daily, not in a secret document. In
previous administrations, if a critical article even by a minor reporter was not included in the
feedback of headlines and press reports Annan would be among the first to discreetly raise the
question, based on freedom of expression. Now, none other than a former Secretary General (and a
ladder provider at earlier times of need), expressed himself on a serious issue without even
mentioning names, and Annan's administration tries to block it -- in vain, of course. The glasshouse
on the East River was abuzz with the statement and the quandary of those wondering what to do
about it. Regrettably, an unprecedented mistake has been made. Regrettably, very regrettably, it
has to be said that Kofi Annan should have insisted on airing the statement if not acknowledging
it with an appropriately polite comment. But then leave it to his "team" to guarantee that he loses
one more disappointed friend.